Changes

In 2013, Badon sponsored the reduction of penalties for the possession of [[marijuana]]. He opposed lifetime concealed carry gun permits and the use of such permits in restaurants that serve alcoholic beverages, but he opposed making information on weapon permits part of the public record. He voted against an increase in judicial pay and abstained on the matter of ending the mandatory retirement age for judges. He voted to prohibit the use of telephones and hand-held devices while driving. He supported state tax incentives to recruit a [[National Basketball Association]] team to Louisiana. He voted for state [[income tax]] deductions for taxpayers contributing to scholarship funds. Badon co-sponsored [[parole]] eligibility for non-violent offenders. He opposed reducing the number of hours that polling locations remain open. Louisiana has traditionally had 14-hour polling days. He voted to establish a commission to develop alternatives to the state income tax. He opposed the requirement for drug testing of welfare recipients. In 2011, he voted for a permanent [[cigarette]] tax. He backed legislation that year which attempted to halt [[bullying]] in public schools; the measure failed in the House, 43-54.<ref name=votingrecords/>  

In 2013, Badon sponsored the reduction of penalties for the possession of [[marijuana]]. He opposed lifetime concealed carry gun permits and the use of such permits in restaurants that serve alcoholic beverages, but he opposed making information on weapon permits part of the public record. He voted against an increase in judicial pay and abstained on the matter of ending the mandatory retirement age for judges. He voted to prohibit the use of telephones and hand-held devices while driving. He supported state tax incentives to recruit a [[National Basketball Association]] team to Louisiana. He voted for state [[income tax]] deductions for taxpayers contributing to scholarship funds. Badon co-sponsored [[parole]] eligibility for non-violent offenders. He opposed reducing the number of hours that polling locations remain open. Louisiana has traditionally had 14-hour polling days. He voted to establish a commission to develop alternatives to the state income tax. He opposed the requirement for drug testing of welfare recipients. In 2011, he voted for a permanent [[cigarette]] tax. He backed legislation that year which attempted to halt [[bullying]] in public schools; the measure failed in the House, 43-54.<ref name=votingrecords/>  

In 2014, Badon introduced HB 199 to add new discrimination protections under state law for age, disability, gender identity or expression, and sexual orientation. "This is really about basic human rights. People should not be discriminated [against] for anything," Badon said.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bestofneworleans.com/gambit/lgbt-legislation-in-louisiana/Content?oid=2329169|title=LGBT legislation in Louisiana: Jeremy Alford on gay rights bills being introduced in Baton Rouge|publisher=''Gambit: The Best of New Orleans''|author=Jeremy Alford|accessdate=May 1, 2015}}</ref>

In 2014, Badon introduced HB 199 to introduced HB 199 to add new discrimination protections under state law for age, disability, gender identity or expression, and sexual orientation. "This is really about basic human rights. People should not be discriminated [against] for anything," Badon said.<ref>Jeremy Alford, "LGBT legislation in Louisiana," ''Gambit: The Best of New Orleans,'' accessed May 1, 2015; material no longer accessible on-line.</ref>

In May 2015, Badon introduced a similar measure to guarantee that individuals seeking employment or housing are "treated equally" regardless of "sexual orientation or sexual choice, age or disability." Badon that said his constitutents support the measure. He also criticized [[Governor]] [[Bobby Jindal]] for support of the religious freedom measure pushed by then state Representative [[Mike Johnson]]], a [[Republican Party|Republican]] from Benton in Bossier Parish who was elected [[U.S. Representative]] in 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kcbd.com/story/29026863/rep-austin-badon-wants-to-end-discrimination-based-on-sexual-orientation|title=Rep. Austin Badon wants to end discrimination based on sexual orientation|author=Meg Gatto|date=May 11, 2015|publisher=KCBD-TV ([[NBC]])|accessdate=May 11, 2015}}</ref>

In May 2015, Badon introduced a similar measure to guarantee that individuals seeking employment or housing are "treated equally" regardless of "sexual orientation or sexual choice, age or disability." Badon that said his constitutents support the measure. He also criticized [[Governor]] [[Bobby Jindal]] for support of the religious freedom measure pushed by then state Representative [[Mike Johnson]], a [[Republican Party|Republican]] from Benton in Bossier Parish who was elected [[U.S. Representative]] in 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kcbd.com/story/29026863/rep-austin-badon-wants-to-end-discrimination-based-on-sexual-orientation|title=Rep. Austin Badon wants to end discrimination based on sexual orientation|author=Meg Gatto|date=May 11, 2015|publisher=KCBD-TV ([[NBC]])|accessdate=May 11, 2015}}</ref>

==References==

==References==